Step 3: Knead & color

Step 4: Play and store

Play with your playdough- I really don't need to help you there. It's entirely edible, if a bit salty, so it's kid-safe. When you're done, store your...

Playdough (aka Play-doh) is easy to make at home, and fun for kids of all ages. Here's how to make your own non-toxic toy with custom colors and fragrances.

This is the classic method that involves a bit of cooking on the stovetop - I prefer it because cooked playdough has a better texture than uncooked varieties. If you want the kids to be able to do it all themselves, try this uncooked playdough recipe.

Warning: Keep away from dogs and other pets. Playdough smells like people food but contains lots of salt, and a hungry dog can eat enough to cause a dangerous salt imbalance.

Step 2: Mix and heat

Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles mashed potatoes.

When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, as shown below, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle.

IMPORTANT NOTE: if your playdough is still sticky, you simply need to cook it longer!
Keep stirring and cooking until the dough is dry and feels like playdough.
I've gotten many comments asking about sticky dough, so please just keep cooking a bit longer and it will work!

Made this with daughter to sell as part of a school business project for her math class. Substituted out 1/4 c. of flour for unsweetened cocoa. Chocolate scented playdough! Also going to do cinnamon, vanilla, and a floral one. :) And the the trick is to just keep cooking until no longer sticky!

It's salty dough, so your skin will dry slightly just like if you're at the beach playing in salt water. It shouldn't hurt your child's hands a bit, but if they're annoyingly dry just add a bit of lotion after washing up.

I used to make this all the time when my boys were little. Once I'd tried it, I never bought the store play dough. But now they're 15 and 13 and I couldn't find my recepie for their little sister who is 18 months. Thank you for making this available so she could have this great play-dough! I love using Kool-aid for color and smell, but I didn't have any today so I tried the food coloring and essential oils. Not quite as good, but still better than the gross store bought stuff!

fantastico my play dough turned out so well! Only thing I would mention is that when I put the salt in after all of the other ingredients had started to heat and been thoroughly mixed the consistency was much much better.